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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A curve over notes to indicate that a phrase is to be played legato.






2. A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect.






3. Repetition of a single tone.






4. Direction to performer to play a composition in a brisk - lively - and spirited manner.






5. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






6. A period in history during the 18th and early 19th centuries where the focus shifted from the neoclassical style to an emotional - expressive - and imaginative style.






7. First developed in the 8th century - methods of writing music.






8. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






9. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800's and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance.






10. Elaborate polyphonic composition of the Boroque and Renaissance periods.






11. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly.






12. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.






13. One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character.






14. Repetition of a single tone.






15. A direction to play expressively.






16. The first violin in an orchestra.






17. Arranging a piece of music for an orchestra. Also - the study of music.






18. A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds - backwards - or inverted.






19. Pertaining to the fugue - the overlapping of the same theme or motif by two or more voices a few beats apart.






20. The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound.






21. The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound.






22. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.






23. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






24. Music written to be sung or played in unison.






25. A form of writing for vocals that is close to the manner of speech and is rhythmically free.






26. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






27. A set of four musicians who perform a composition written for four parts.






28. A composition based on previous work. A common technique used in Medieval and Renaissance music.






29. A quick - improvisational - spirited piece of music.






30. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






31. Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service.






32. A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition - each voice enters at different times - creating counterpoint with one another.






33. The retuning of a stringed instrument in order to play notes below the ordinary range of the instrument or to produce an usual tone color.






34. A short light musical drama.






35. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






36. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






37. A chord progression that seems to lead to resolving itself on the final chord; but does not.






38. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






39. A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken.






40. The tonal characteristics determined by the relationship of the notes to the tone.






41. An instrumental lament with praise for the dead.






42. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






43. A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song.






44. A portion of the range of the instrument or voice.






45. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






46. To shift to another key.






47. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






48. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






49. A set of four musicians who perform a composition written for four parts.






50. A successive transposition and repetition of a phrase at different pitches.